Funding: Other branches must not shortchange the Judiciary of Guam

The governor and lawmakers must ensure the Judiciary of Guam is given the money it needs to provide services to our community.

Earlier this year, the Judiciary was owed as much as $1.7 million in monthly budget allotments that weren't paid out. The courts should be commended for finding ways, such as not filling vacancies, to cover about half of that gap without cutting hours. The Judiciary hopes additional revenue from increased fines and fees, which go into effect in January, will generate about $300,000.

However, those measures aren't enough. Unless the Judiciary receives more money from the General Fund, the courthouses in Hagåtña and Dededo will implement a 36-hour workweek starting in May, according to the Judicial Council.

On Friday, the council approved a contingency plan to cut hours to cover a projected $800,000 budget shortfall. The Judiciary hasn't yet decided how to cut the hours. Proposals have been made to cut an hour from several workdays or to close the court for a half day on a single day.

The cuts could be avoided if the Judiciary receives more funding in coming months, said Chief Justice F. Phillip Carbullido.

"We believe, with the cuts we've made, and the revenue that we have increased ... that's the most we can do on our end," Carbullido said. "We need assistance from the other branches of government. Otherwise we will implement this 36-hour workweek."

Cutting court hours will directly impact the court system's ability to deliver justice. Such austerity measures could potentially hinder enforcement of statutory rights and procedures. The cuts would limit the number of cases that could be heard in a week. Probation services also would be adversely affected.

The impact of these cuts would be felt throughout the community. The court system could become the bottleneck in the island's criminal justice system.

The Judiciary is an independent and fully equal branch of government. It cannot be treated like an agency of the executive branch. The executive and legislative branches must ensure the Judiciary receives every penny of its budget amount in a timely manner.